Disposable Wipe

ABSTRACT

An improved disposable wipe that can be worn on the hand of an individual. The disposable wipe has an absorbent sheet that is heat sealed to a sanitary glove. The sanitary glove is ambidextrous in design, having a first thumb portion and a second thumb portion arranged on either side of an at least one finger portion. Additionally, the sanitary glove is liquid resistant, such that any fluid wiped up with the absorbent sheet is not transferred to the skin of the individual. The absorbent sheet may have a plurality of perforations interspersed between each thumb and finger portion of the glove, which allow the absorbent sheet to be ripped into small sections of material that can then be used for targeted cleaning using a single finger. It is also possible for the absorbent sheet to retain a cleansing solution that is dispensed upon use of the disposable wipe.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patentapplication Ser. No. 61/875,401 filed on Sep. 9, 2013.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a cleaning device. Morespecifically, the present invention is a disposable wipe that can beworn by the user as a glove. Furthermore, the present invention mayinclude the use of a cleaning solution to aid in the cleaning ofsurfaces, humans, animals, etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cloths or other wiping products are commonly owned cleaning productsused to sweep up dirt and debris, soak up a spill, or otherwise clean adesired surface. Typical wipes comprise a single sheet of material thatis either woven or non-woven, and can be designed such that they aredisposable or reusable. Wipes are versatile cleaning products, thus theyare used for a variety of cleansing reasons, such as cleaning a kitchenor bathroom surface, cleansing an individual's skin, or wiping a pet'sfur coat. Depending on the intended use, wipes may be used inconjunction with various cleaning solutions to further enhance thefunctionality of the wipe. These cleaning solutions are commonlypurchased separately and applied to the wipe before use. Whether used inconjunction with a cleaning solution or not, wipes are typicallymanipulated by a single hand of an individual as the wipe is used toclean a surface. Precise movement of the wipe is often hindered, asconventional wipes suffer from deformation by friction while in use.This makes it difficult to press the wipe flat against the surface andthus efficiently and effectively clean the surface. Additionally, anyremoved filth can easily be transferred to the user as the wipe becomescrumpled.

Therefore it is the object of the present invention to provide animproved disposable wipe that can be worn on the hand of an individual.An absorbent sheet is heat sealed to a sanitary glove, such that theabsorbent sheet can be readily manipulated by the hand of theindividual. The sanitary glove is ambidextrous in design, such that thepresent invention can be used by either right or left handedindividuals. Additionally, the sanitary glove is liquid resistant, suchthat any fluid wiped up with the absorbent sheet is not transferred tothe skin of the individual. The absorbent sheet may compriseperforations in between each thumb and finger portion of the glove. Theperforations allow the absorbent sheet to be ripped into small sectionsof material that can then be used for targeted cleaning using a singlefinger. It is also possible for the absorbent sheet to retain acleansing solution that is dispensed upon use of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention with the sanitaryglove having three finger portions.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the present invention with the sanitaryglove having three finger portions.

FIG. 3 is a top sectional view showing the absorbent sheet being heatsealed to the sanitary glove.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view showing the hand opening and theinterior of the sanitary glove.

FIG. 5 is a right side sectional view showing the cleaning solutionbeing retained by the absorbent sheet.

FIG. 6 is top plan view of the absorbent sheet having perforationsinterspersed between the first thumb portion, second thumb portion, andeach of the at least one finger portion.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view showing the sanitary glove having only onefinger portion.

FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view showing the interior of the sanitaryglove having only one finger portion.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the present invention with the open endof the sanitary glove being sealed shut by a temporary seam.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describingselected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limitthe scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a disposable wipe that can be worn on anindividual's hand. The disposable wipe comprises an absorbent sheet 1and a sanitary glove 2, as shown in FIG. 1. The absorbent sheet 1 isconnected to the sanitary glove 2 and provides the cleaning surface ofthe present invention. The sanitary glove 2 allows the present inventionto be worn by an individual, such that the individual can control theflatness of the absorbent sheet 1 as the disposable wipe is used toclean. After use, the disposable wipe can be removed from the hand of anindividual by inverting the sanitary glove 2 inside out. The soileddisposable wipe can then be sanitarily handled by the individual byholding the interior surface of the sanitary glove 2.

The absorbent sheet 1 is constructed from a non-woven material, and canbe designed in any shape or size. Ideally, the absorbent sheet 1 islarger than the sanitary glove 2, such that excess absorbent sheet 1extends around the profile of the sanitary glove 2. The sanitary glove 2is constructed from a liquid resistant material, such that the hand ofan individual does not get wet from cleaning chemicals or the mess thatis being cleaned. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention,the sanitary glove 2 is constructed form polyethylene or polypropylene;however, it is possible for the sanitary glove 2 to be made out of anyother material(s).

The sanitary glove 2 is designed such that it is ambidextrous, thusallowing the disposable wipe to be used by any individual. This absolvesthe need to manufacture disposable wipes for both left and right handedindividuals. In reference to FIG. 1, The sanitary glove 2 comprises apalm portion 24, a first thumb portion 21, a second thumb portion 22, anat least one finger portion 23, a receiving volume 25, and an open end26. The first thumb portion 21, the second thumb portion 22, and the atleast one finger portion 23 are adjacently connected to the palm portion24, thus forming the body of the sanitary glove 2. In this way, thefirst thumb portion 21, the second thumb portion 22, the at least onefinger portion 23, and the palm portion 24 delineate the receivingvolume 25. The receiving volume 25 is the interior open space of thesanitary glove 2 in which the individual places his or her hand. Thereceiving volume 25 is accessed through the open end 26, which ispositioned across the palm portion 24 opposite the at least one fingerportion 23.

In reference to FIG. 2, the at least one finger portion 23 is positionedin between the first thumb portion 21 and the second thumb portion 22.In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least onefinger portion 23 is specifically three finger portions. Each of thethree finger portions is designed to receive one of an index finger,middle finger, or ring finger. The inner portion of the at least onefinger portion 23 is designed to receive the middle finger of anindividual, while the two outer finger portions of the at least onefinger portion 23 are designed to receive the index finger or ringfinger of an individual. Similarly, both the first thumb portion 21 andthe second thumb portion 22 are designed to receive either the thumb orpinky finger of an individual. In this way, the sanitary glove 2 isdesigned such that it is ambidextrous. For example, the thumb of anindividual is placed in the first thumb portion 21 and the pinky fingerof the individual is placed in the second thumb portion 22 for a righthanded individual, or vice versa for a left handed individual.

In reference to FIG. 3, the absorbent sheet 1 is adjacently connected tothe first thumb portion 21, the second thumb portion 22, the at leastone finger portion 23, and the palm portion 24. In the preferredembodiment of the present invention, the absorbent sheet 1 is heatsealed to the sanitary glove 2, and as such, the disposable wipecomprises an at least one heat seal seam 3. The at least one heat sealseam 3 connects the absorbent sheet 1 to the first thumb portion 21, thesecond thumb portion 22, the at least one finger portion 23 and the palmportion 24. In other embodiments of the present invention, the absorbentsheet 1 is connected to the sanitary glove 2 through the use of anepoxy, glue, or similar material. However, the use of heat sealing ispreferable, as there are no chemicals involved in the process. Inaddition to the methods of connection described, it is possible for theabsorbent sheet 1 to be connected to the sanitary glove 2 in any otherway.

In reference to FIG. 5, the absorbent sheet 1 may comprise a pluralityof perforations 11. The plurality of perforations 11 are interspersedbetween the first thumb portion 21, each of the at least one fingerportion 23, and the second thumb portion 22. Each of the plurality ofperforations 11 extends from the palm portion 24 to the outer edge ofthe absorbent sheet 1. The plurality of perforations 11 allows theabsorbent sheet 1 to be readily and purposefully torn by the individual,such that sections of the absorbent sheet 1 may be manipulatedindependently of each other. For example, the absorbent sheet 1 can beripped along the plurality of perforations 11, such that a section ofthe absorbent sheet 1 around the individual's index finger can be usedto clean small and/or hard to reach areas.

In reference to FIG. 6, the disposable wipe may also comprise a cleaningsolution 12. The cleaning solution 12 can be any known cleanser, and isretained by the absorbent sheet 1. In this way, the cleaning solution 12is dispensed from the absorbent sheet 1 onto the surface, human, animal,etc. as the disposable wipe is used. If no cleaning solution 12 isinitially retained by the absorbent sheet 1, then the individual maychoose the cleaning solution 12 of his or her liking and apply thecleaning solution 12 to the absorbent sheet 1 before the disposable wipeis used.

In some embodiments of the present invention when the cleaning solution12 is used, the open end 26 of the sanitary glove 2 is closed shut by atemporary seam 4. The temporary seam 4 isolates the receiving volume 25from the external environment of the sanitary glove 2 when thedisposable wipe is being transported, stored, etc. The temporary seam 4is intended to prevent the cleaning solution 12 from leaking into thereceiving volume 25, such that the cleaning solution 12 does not come incontact with the hand of the individual. When an individual wishes touse the disposable wipe, the temporary seam 4 is broken, thus allowingthe individual to access the receiving volume 25 through the open end26. The temporary seam 4 can be formed by any known sealing method, suchas using a perforated pull tab or an adhesive positioned along thelength of the open end. The temporary seam 4 may extend along both thesanitary glove 2 and the absorbent sheet 1, as shown in FIG. 9, oracross only the open end 26 of the sanitary glove 2.

In reference to FIG. 7-8, in an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention, the at least one finger portion 23 is specifically one fingerportion. In this way, the sanitary glove 2 forms a mitt shape with twothumb portions, one thumb portion on each side of the mitt. For a righthanded individual, the thumb of the individual is placed in the firstthumb portion 21, while the remaining fingers are placed in the at leastone finger portion 23. Optionally, the pinky finger of the right handedindividual may be placed in the second thumb portion 22. Conversely, fora left handed individual, the thumb of the individual is placed in thesecond thumb portion 22, while the remaining fingers are placed in theat least one finger portion 23. Optionally, the pinky finger of the lefthanded individual may be placed in the first thumb portion 21.

In one embodiment of the present invention, materials for the absorbentsheet 1 and the sanitary glove 2 are provided in rolls. The rolls ofmaterial are simultaneously loaded onto a glove making machine. Theglove making machine would then cut the unrolled materials usingtemplates for both the absorbent sheet 1 and the sanitary glove 2. Oncethe absorbent sheet 1 and the sanitary glove 2 are cut from the unrolledmaterial using the templates, the absorbent sheet 1 and the sanitaryglove 2 are then heat sealed together. It is also possible for thedisposable wipe to be constructed using any other known manufacturingprocess.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferredembodiment, it is to be understood that many other possiblemodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A disposable wipe comprises: an absorbent sheet;a sanitary glove; the sanitary glove comprises a first thumb portion, asecond thumb portion, an at least one finger portion, a palm portion, areceiving volume, and an open end; the first thumb portion, the secondthumb portion, and the at least one finger portion being adjacentlyconnected to the palm portion; the at least one finger portion beingpositioned in between the first thumb portion and the second thumbportion; the open end being positioned across the palm portion oppositethe at least one finger portion; the receiving volume being delineatedby the first thumb portion, the second thumb portion, the at least onefinger portion, and the palm portion; and the absorbent sheet beingadjacently connected to the first thumb portion, the second thumbportion, the at least one finger portion, and the palm portion.
 2. Thedisposable wipe as claimed in claim 1 comprises: a cleaning solution;and the cleaning solution being retained by the absorbent sheet.
 3. Thedisposable wipe as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the absorbent sheetcomprises a plurality of perforations; and the plurality of perforationsbeing interspersed between the first thumb portion, each of the at leastone finger portion, and the second thumb portion.
 4. The disposable wipeas claimed in claim 1 comprises: the absorbent sheet being connected tothe first thumb portion, the second thumb portion, the at least onefinger portion, and the palm portion by an at least one heat seal seam.5. The disposable wipe as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the at least onefinger portion being one finger portion or three finger portions.
 6. Thedisposable wipe as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the open end beingsealed closed by a temporary seam.
 7. The disposable wipe as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the sanitary glove is constructed from a liquidresistant material, and wherein the absorbent sheet is a non-wovenmaterial.
 8. A disposable wipe comprises: an absorbent sheet; a sanitaryglove; the sanitary glove comprises a first thumb portion, a secondthumb portion, an at least one finger portion, a palm portion, areceiving volume, and an open end; the absorbent sheet comprises aplurality of perforations; the first thumb portion, the second thumbportion, and the at least one finger portion being adjacently connectedto the palm portion; the at least one finger portion being positioned inbetween the first thumb portion and the second thumb portion; the openend being positioned across the palm portion opposite the at least onefinger portion; the receiving volume being delineated by the first thumbportion, the second thumb portion, the at least one finger portion, andthe palm portion; the absorbent sheet being adjacently connected to thefirst thumb portion, the second thumb portion, the at least one fingerportion, and the palm portion; and the plurality of perforations beinginterspersed between the first thumb portion, each of the at least onefinger portion, and the second thumb portion.
 9. The disposable wipe asclaimed in claim 8 comprises: a cleaning solution; and the cleaningsolution being retained by the absorbent sheet.
 10. The disposable wipeas claimed in claim 8 comprises: the absorbent sheet being connected tothe first thumb portion, the second thumb portion, the at least onefinger portion, and the palm portion by an at least one heat seal seam.11. The disposable wipe as claimed in claim 8 comprises: the at leastone finger portion being one finger portion or three finger portions.12. The disposable wipe as claimed in claim 8 comprises: the open endbeing sealed closed by a temporary seam.
 13. The disposable wipe asclaimed in claim 8, wherein the sanitary glove is constructed from aliquid resistant material, and wherein the absorbent sheet is anon-woven material.
 14. A disposable wipe comprises: an absorbent sheet;a sanitary glove; a cleaning solution; the sanitary glove comprises afirst thumb portion, a second thumb portion, an at least one fingerportion, a palm portion, a receiving volume, and an open end; theabsorbent sheet comprises a plurality of perforations; the first thumbportion, the second thumb portion, and the at least one finger portionbeing adjacently connected to the palm portion; the at least one fingerportion being positioned in between the first thumb portion and thesecond thumb portion; the open end being positioned across the palmportion opposite the at least one finger portion; the receiving volumebeing delineated by the first thumb portion, the second thumb portion,the at least one finger portion, and the palm portion; the absorbentsheet being adjacently connected to the first thumb portion, the secondthumb portion, the at least one finger portion, and the palm portion;the plurality of perforations being interspersed between the first thumbportion, each of the at least one finger portion, and the second thumbportion; and the cleaning solution being retained by the absorbentsheet.
 15. The disposable wipe as claimed in claim 14 comprises: theabsorbent sheet being connected to the first thumb portion, the secondthumb portion, the at least one finger portion, and the palm portion byan at least one heat seal seam.
 16. The disposable wipe as claimed inclaim 14 comprises: the at least one finger portion being one fingerportion or three finger portions.
 17. The disposable wipe as claimed inclaim 14 comprises: the open end being sealed closed by a temporaryseam.
 18. The disposable wipe as claimed in claim 14, wherein thesanitary glove is constructed from a liquid resistant material, andwherein the absorbent sheet is a non-woven material.